Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 47

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Ohringer Collection $2.50 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 4399		1854-D $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-61. Well struck with nice even toning. 1,760 minted. The 1854-D Liberty quarter eagle is a considered necessary issue in any collection of Dahlonega Mint Gold. The fact of its low mintage and long record in the numismatic annals gives it the status of a "classic rarity" in the series. Survival was hit or miss, and the examples sold in recent years (none too many) tend to top out in About Uncirculated 50 condition, this being the best most collectors can hope for. That is why when a fully lustrous example such as the MS61 in this lot gets offered, it creates a stir. The coin is well made for an issue that typical always found its way onto a poor planchet. Surfaces are free from Mint-caused flaws, with the only slight deficiency in strike being relegated to portions of the eagle and denticles. Pop 2; 2 finer in 62. (PCGS # 7771) . Estimated Value $20,000 - 23,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 4400		1855-D $2.50 Liberty. . Ex Green Pond Specimen. PCGS graded MS-60. PCGS holder 21026492. Nicely toned. 1,123 minted. Offered in a 2004 Heritage sale of the Green Pond C and D Mint gold, the 1855-D quarter eagle is believed to be the second rarest coin ever produced at the Dahlonega mint, "narrowly trailing the 1856-D" in the words of the previous cataloger. "A strong case can be made for calling the 1855-D the rarer of the two in high grades as a higher percentage of 1856-D's are seen in AU50 to MS60 grades. Approximately 45-55 of the 1855-D quarter eagles are known with around 10-12 in About Uncirculated and one or two in Uncirculated. NGC has graded a single coin in MS61 with no other Uncirculated pieces, while PCGS has graded two: the Green Pond specimen, and an MS60 in the Duke's Creek collection." This is a particularly pleasing example where most of the central detail is carefully made, perhaps only the eagle being weak in its lower body. The reverse weakness is diagnostic for the issue. There is some minor "roughness" which may be described as the result of the coin having been exposed to some sort of element in the soil. "There are some hidden but deep digs on the reverse including at least three or four on the eagle, plus others located on the first S in STATES and on the E in AMERICA." Due to the surface condition, it is a little difficult to gauge how much luster remains; however few 1855-D quarter eagles have even this amount of mint bloom. A specialist's dream come true when viewed in the light of the Condition Census rankings: Pop 2; none finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 7776) . Estimated Value $38,000 - 40,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $43,700
Lot 4401		1862 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 65 Ultra Cameo. Housed in NGC holder 1945217-002. Exquisite Gem Proof with outstanding depth of contrast. Looks like a "black hole!" Only 35 Proofs struck. Proof 1862 quarter eagles can only be considered as very rare due to fact so few were struck. In spite of the dearth of auction sales in recent years, the fame of Proof 1862 quarter eagles is lost in the shadows. Perhaps this is due to its proximity to the Proof-only 1863, famous in American numismatics. Just the same those assembling Civil War era gold Proof collections will quickly realize its elusive nature. The reverse is Type 2 (with more compact letters and arrow heads). The 2 is partly filled, a feature that Breen remarked upon. This marvelous Gem Proof specimen has glowing fields and devices, the field prominently mirrored. A razor-sharp provides perfection denied to others of this issue. Only a few trivial hairlines are present under magnification. We will assume that this piece eventually finds a home in a major rarities collection. We will even assume that the new owner encounters all of the joy and fulfillment to which owning such a major rarity confers. Pop 2; 1 finer in 66 (PCGS # 7888) . Estimated Value $35,000 - 40,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $42,550
Lot 4402		1877 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 64 Deep Cameo. Only 20 proofs minted. Defective planchet obverse. Lam. reverse. A sharply struck and flashy specimen, light original honey patina bestows its beauty over the frost of the portrait and eagle as well as in the fields. Virtually gem quality, as one would expect from the lofty grade of Proof 64, although marred slightly by a reverse lamination the resulted from an occlusion or impurity underneath the surface. A mere 20 Proof 1877 quarter eagles were struck. The joint results of NGC and PCGS show eleven pieces in all grades, and it is more than likely that several among these are multiple submissions. While Proof double eagles command most of the attention, pre-1880 Proof quarter eagles can be considered as remarkably rare. Yet they can be found for significantly less money (although these rarely appear in auctions). Only 1 graded in PR65DCAM but it isn't an error (PCGS # 97903) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $16,100
Lot 4403		1899 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 66 Ultra Cameo PQ. CAC Approved. Lovely rich golden toning. Only 150 struck. An very beautiful example of the date. Splendid gold color with fiery underlying luster. The devices are heavily frosted while mirrors are smoothly reflective; when describing vivid contrast such as offered here we call this two-tone or "Ultra Deep" cameo. One of only a handful of the Proofs of the date to survive in tip-top condition, with possibly north of one hundred or so Proofs still accounted for in lesser conditions. One glance at this lovely gem convinces us bidders need never search for one higher up the grading ladder to obtain a gorgeous gem Proof of 1899. Pop 5; 16 finer; 9 in 67; 7 in 668. (PCGS # 7925) . Estimated Value $20,000 - 22,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $28,750
Lot 4404		1908 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded Proof 67. NGC holder 1731962-001. Simply superb! A flawless gem. Only 236 proofs struck. First year of the Bela Lyon Pratt Indian head design, there is some question whether all of the pieces were sold; some may have been melted after the close of 1908. Today, despite a relatively high mintage, the 1908 does appear to be similarly scarce to other matte or sand-blast Proof quarter eagles. This is certainly a remarkable Superb Gem Proof. The surfaces show a uniform sand-blast finish that has a fine granular texture. No marks are copper stains can be found on either side; the surface is pristine. Indeed, the word "magnificent" comes to mind when describing its immense beauty. If the inspiration to own this coin gives flight to your fancy to bid, we encourage a strong bid since competition is sure to be ardent. By the time the auctioneer has finished the final bid, we propose to others in the room to give the successful buyer a nod of approval for his good fortune. Pop 24; none finer at NGC (PCGS # 7957) . Historic note: After criticism arose following release of the 1908 sandblast Proof gold coins, the Mint altered its procedure. It dropped the sandblast style, and introduced the satin finish in 1909 and 1910. The satin surface (Charles E. Barber called it "bright") was produced by fresh dies used in the Mint's medal press. The surface is the result of buffing the hubs to remove cutting burs from the reducing lathe. The 1908 and 1911-15 sandblast pieces were made by taking a satin Proof coin and lightly sandblasting it. We call these "matte Proofs" today. The officials at the Philadelphia mint decided they could not make brilliant Proofs like those in the previous Liberty head series, and wanted something distinctive for collectors. After the sandblast in 1908 failed to satisfy, this satin finish was tried, but shortly thereafter, the sandblast technique was once again put into use. Estimated Value $27,000 - 29,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $34,500
Lot 4405		1911-D $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. Well struck with nice golden toning. A key date. The 1911-D Indian half eagle is the leading condition rarity among 20th century United States gold issues. Perhaps the 1914-S $5 gives the 1911-D a run for the money, but it cannot be denied that few of the 72,500 coins produced at Denver that year are extant in Mint condition. The certified attests as much. The Denver Mint prepared a single set of dies to produce this low total. Most are well struck with a sharp D mintmark (in contrast to the 1911-D $2.50 which often shows a weak mintmark). The surfaces of this piece are predictably fresh with a delicate copper-gold patina that compliments the frosted luster. A few paper-thin hairlines crisscross the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse, but otherwise there are no blemishes, no spots, but instead everything positive to speak about on this beautifully preserved example. It goes without saying that the coin affords an important prospect for the Indian Head gold connoisseur who demands only the choicest quality coins. Pop 282; 20 finer, 17 in 65, 3 in 66 (PCGS # 7943) . Historical note: The obverse portrays Brule Lakota Chief Hollow Horn Bear, who had taken part in Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural parade, March 4, 1905. The Chief died two years after this 1911 specimen was minted. He is often misidentified as the model for the 1899 $5 Silver Certificates. His true identity as Boston sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt's model for the 1908 quarter eagles and half eagles first came to light in an exhibit in the 1988 ANA Convention. Estimated Value $25,000 - 26,000. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold